Burlingame hosts 4-day world accordion convention

BURLINGAME, Calif. (KGO) -- The sound of music filled a Burlingame hotel on Thursday and not with just any music -- accordion music.

Crowne Plaza Hotel became the center of the accordion universe with one jam session being hosted after another.

Set aside all assumptions about accordion players and accordion music and visit the convention -- hosted by the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International -- where more than 100 musicians will open ears and minds.

"This is wonderful music. You see accordion plays everything, everything, everything. You name a type of music and I will tell you, honestly, if an accordion can't play it," accordionist Amy Jo Sawyer said.

Rap music was suggested, to which she just laughed.

If anyone can make that claim, it's Sawyer, who is Second Vice President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild, International. The guild's president, world renowned musician Betty Joe Simon, played at the convention.

Thursday was the second day of the convention that runs through Saturday and features accordion aficionados and players from around the world.

It's not quite rap but in this crowd, no one will miss it.